Travel Destination: Cozumel - Mexico
Getting To Cozumel
The only way to reach Cozumel (apart from the cruise ships) is by fast ferry from Playa del Carmen (35-45 minutes depending on water conditions) or by plane, either directly from some international airports or, more likely, from Cancun - on a tiny puddle-jumper. This flight takes 15 to 20 minutes (depending on weather and wind conditions) and will run you a steep $75 one way.
Generally, AeroCozumel flies back and forth from Cancun to Cozumel four or five times a day. If you’re coming from Cancun anyway, this flight is convenient only if you have to wait less than two hours for take off.
Otherwise, hop on a comfortable air-conditioned (bring a sweater!) bus to Playa del Carmen (45 minutes, 80 pesos one way) and then take the ferry mentioned above to Cozumel. The ferry runs daily from early in the morning to late at night.
Inside the Head of a Cruiser
Here’s a little run down of the typical cruise ship passenger’s itinerary for Cozumel.
The ship arrives early in the morning, with passengers still snoozing off their last night’s fun activities (maybe ‘Casino Night’). They wake up and either go on a pre-planned cattle-drive snorkel trip or go shopping on a mall-like expanse of shops lining the waterfront. They’re typically looking for diamonds and gold, which they’ve been encouraged into buying by invested cruise ship partners.
Just from looking at the main tourist strip along the water, you’d think that the only thing these tourists wanted to shop for was gem stones and cowboy boots. That’s what’s ‘good here’ apparently. It’s not the empty beaches and remote reggae bars, not cheap delicious local seafood or lively cantinas, but gold and hamburgers.